Category: Drink

  • Stuft Pizza

    Stuft Pizza

    78015 MAIN STREET, SUITE 100
    LA QUINTA

    A desert icon since its 2004 inception, this place gets my vote for some of the absolute BEST pies in the entire valley (thin crust with pepperoni, Canadian bacon and olives is my preferred order). But there is so much more to be had here, especially the daily happy hour, hosted from 3 to 6 p.m., with offerings including Chicken Lettuce Wraps, Rib Bites and Street Tacos – all affordable and delicious. There is also a sister location in Palm Desert, but the patio at the La Quinta outpost is where it’s truly at!

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    Website

  • La Quinta Cliffhouse

    La Quinta Cliffhouse

    78250 CA-111
    LA QUINTA

    Securing a seat at this local favorite during happy hour (offered from 3:30 to 6 p.m. daily) is a cut-throat endeavor, to say the least! One drink in, and it won’t be hard to see why! The food is superb, the drinks well-crafted, and the ambiance unparalleled, especially on the gorgeous patio, which is literally built into the side of a mountain and boasts striking views and an open-air fireplace, perfect for those cool desert nights.

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    Website

  • Ristorante Mamma Gina

    Ristorante Mamma Gina

    73705 EL PASEO
    PALM DESERT

    Craving a $24 filet? Mamma Gina has you covered! Another Piero Pierattoni hot spot, this El Paseo eatery has been a beloved desert staple since originally opening in 1986. Other delectables on the all-night happy hour menu (offered from 4 p.m. to closing) include Salmone and Carpaccio Di Bue (at $16 and $18, respectively), with each dish more exquisite than the last. As such, it is no surprise that this place is hard to get into, but the long waits are well worth it!

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    Website

  • Piero’s Pizzavino

    Piero’s Pizzavino

    73722 EL PASEO #1
    PALM DESERT

    This casual spot, opened by Florence-born restauranteur Piero Pierattoni in 2011, is best known for its fab Neapolitan pizzas, but the happy hours also can’t be beat! Offering authentic Italian dishes based on Piero’s family recipes, the happy hour offerings are extensive – from pasta to pizza to appetizers, with gluten-free options, to boot! The Fried Zucchini Blossoms and Grilled Artichokes are personal favorites (and affordable at $12 each), but you can’t go wrong with any menu choice. (Happy Hour is offered all day Sunday through Thursday and from 11:30 to 4 on Fridays and Saturdays.)

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  • Everbloom Coffee

    Everbloom Coffee

    45125 SMURR STREET
    INDIO

    This chicly minimalist coffee shop features some of the tastiest java and friendliest baristas you’ll find in the desert! Widely known for its specialty house-made syrups (as per the myriad glowing Yelp reviews), which include butterscotch, Madagascar vanilla, mocha and honey lavender, sadly, I am diabetic and, as such, haven’t been able to partake. But I’m happy to report that the standard lattes are nothing short of heavenly and certainly warrant a visit. (The sister location, just up the road at 81730 CA-111, is smaller, but serves up the same fabulous fare.)

    Website

  • The Vintage Coffee House

    The Vintage Coffee House

    49990 JEFFERSTON STREET
    INDIO

    A strip mall with a grocery store as its anchor tenant may seem an unlikely place to find some of the best java in the Coachella Valley, but that is most definitely the case with The Vintage Coffee House. Known for being one of the only sites in the area with bulletproof coffee on the menu, all of the offerings are, in fact, fabulous. The café is adorable to boot, and the service is stellar! Even Sylvester Stallone and Justin Bieber are fans! Vintage is also situated in extremely close proximity to the Coachella concert grounds, so if you are in town for any of the festivals, this is the spot to grab your daily joe!

    Website

  • Cali Rosina Tea & Chocolate

    Cali Rosina Tea & Chocolate

    78120 CALLE ESTADO, SUITE 104
    LA QUINTA

    If it’s tea you’re seeking, Cali Rosina should be your first stop! The adorable tea shop boasts a massive and well-curated selection of fresh loose-leaf blends (over 200, in fact!), served both iced and hot, and the finest selection of chocolate I’ve seen in the desert! I’m not much of a tea person, but even I can’t resist Cali Rosina’s refreshing offerings. Opened by siblings Jodie and Josh Smith just a few days before the world shut down in March 2020, it speaks to the café’s excellence that it managed to survive and thrive, quickly becoming a local favorite. The place also features one of the cutest patios around.

    Website

  • Main Street Coffee

    Main Street Coffee

    78100 MAIN STREET, SUITE 102
    LA QUINTA

    While the lattes and baked goods at this spot are solid, at Main Street Coffee, it is all about the location! Tucked inside the city of La Quinta’s charming Old Town shopping center, the café boasts a covered wraparound patio with gorgeous desert vistas and fabulous people-watching opportunities, especially on Sundays during the center’s bustling weekly farmer’s markets.

    Website

  • Yes Please

    Yes Please

    78065 MAIN STREET, SUITE 100
    LA QUINTA

    Stop by this Old Town La Quinta coffee and dessert shop early, as the baked goods sell out by 10 daily. One bite of a delectable huckleberry scone topped with citrus glaze, melt-in-your-mouth buttermilk biscuit or buttery croissant, and you’ll know why! Homemade on the premises each morning by owner Gina Mallano, every item at Yes Please is crafted with the finest ingredients and plenty of heart! The coffee drinks are superb, as well, with the chai and horchata also made in-house, and the patio views are nothing short of stunning!

    Website

  • The Marketplace

    The Marketplace

    49499 EISENHOWER DRIVE
    LA QUINTA

    Hotel coffee shops aren’t typically known for serving up stellar brews, but The Marketplace at the La Quinta Resort is the exception to that rule. The java is on par with high-end roasters and the breakfast sandwiches are truly a marvel! And you can’t beat the setting, with the gorgeous shaded patio pristinely situated overlooking the stunning hotel grounds. It’s a great place to spend a lazy morning or a sunny afternoon!

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